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Very Hot Topic (More than 25 Replies) The mechanics of opening the action in a Steven's (Read 9833 times)
JBenham
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The mechanics of opening the action in a Steven's
Mar 14th, 2021 at 7:27pm
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I have watched all the videos I can find and searched for information about what happens with the hammer as the action is opened but so far I have found nothing of any help. So I'll ask you guys here.  
I take it that when the action is opened the hammer goes into the half cocked notch until the action is closed and then drawn to full cock.  Or does it go all the way to full cock and depend on the shooter to lower the hammer to half cock?  Common sense seems to dictate the former rather than the later.  
Your input is always appreciated. 
  
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Packet
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Re: The mechanics of opening the action in a Steven's
Reply #1 - Mar 14th, 2021 at 7:57pm
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I was going to help you out on this one and grabbed my 44. With hammer down, I opened the action and closed it. The hammer went back a little and went back down. Not sure if that is correct or I have a half cock problem.
  
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Packet
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Re: The mechanics of opening the action in a Steven's
Reply #2 - Mar 14th, 2021 at 8:10pm
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According to the schematic, it does have a half cock notch.
  
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JBenham
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Re: The mechanics of opening the action in a Steven's
Reply #3 - Mar 14th, 2021 at 8:20pm
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Packet wrote on Mar 14th, 2021 at 8:10pm:
According to the schematic, it does have a half cock notch.


Yes. And my hammer has a half cock notch as well. And mine does exactly like yours does. The hammer follows the breech block forward as it goes into battery.  That is what has me concerned. Something just doesn't seem copacetic.
  
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JBenham
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Re: The mechanics of opening the action in a Steven's
Reply #4 - Mar 14th, 2021 at 8:30pm
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As kind of an experiment I cleaned the hammer well and hammered out a piece of 12 gauge copper wire to make a thin ribbon approximately .060 thick and super glued it to the bottom of my hammer. After allowing it to dry for a few minutes I reassembled the action and tried it once more. Upon opening the action the hammer went to half cock and remained there until I either lowered it or pulled it back to full cock. Leaving it at half cock and opening the action it seemed to work fine. 
This leads me to believe it is supposed to open to half cock only and remain there until moved by the shooter. 
And I could be as wrong as can be.
  
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Sure shot
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Re: The mechanics of opening the action in a Steven's
Reply #5 - Mar 14th, 2021 at 8:32pm
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Completely normal for a model 44 Stevens. When you open the action on a 44, the hammer will move back just past half cock and will lower the hammer to the half cock notch, and will repeat the same when you close the action. There is a projection on the link that lifts the hammer when opening or closing the action. On some models of the 44’s you can reverse the position of the link and it will bring the hammer to full cock. The later model 44 rifles used a different style link, which may or may not if reversed bring the hammer to full cock, not sure about that.
The link is part #25 in the above illustration.
« Last Edit: Mar 14th, 2021 at 8:38pm by Sure shot »  
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JBenham
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Re: The mechanics of opening the action in a Steven's
Reply #6 - Mar 14th, 2021 at 8:39pm
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So judging from your description my hammer has some issues.  It does not go to half cock and stay there. It is following the breech block up and down.  Not until I temporarily glued that piece in front of the half cock notch would it stay at half cock.  
I definitely will need some professional gunsmithing services on the hammer and trigger. Preferably someone who knows these old guns inside and out.
  
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westerner
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Re: The mechanics of opening the action in a Steven's
Reply #7 - Mar 14th, 2021 at 8:57pm
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None of my 44s go to half cock when opening and closing. The hammers lift then go back down when closed. 

Should I be worried? 
« Last Edit: Mar 14th, 2021 at 9:04pm by westerner »  

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Sure shot
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Re: The mechanics of opening the action in a Steven's
Reply #8 - Mar 14th, 2021 at 9:12pm
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Not really as long as the hammer will go to full cock and then go bang when the trigger is pulled. Wink
  
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JLouis
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Re: The mechanics of opening the action in a Steven's
Reply #9 - Mar 14th, 2021 at 9:17pm
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Stevens do not go to full cock and if yours does not go to half cock your fly might have not been installed right and it might need to be turned around.
  

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Re: The mechanics of opening the action in a Steven's
Reply #10 - Mar 14th, 2021 at 9:22pm
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None of my three 44s go to half cock or full cock when cycled. They've always been that way. They work perfect. Gotta cock the hammer like a Ballard.

Might have been a Walnut Hill that went to half cock.
  

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Re: The mechanics of opening the action in a Steven's
Reply #11 - Mar 14th, 2021 at 9:31pm
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There isn’t a fly in a plain Jane model 44 without double or single set triggers.
  
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JBenham
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Re: The mechanics of opening the action in a Steven's
Reply #12 - Mar 14th, 2021 at 9:34pm
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JLouis wrote on Mar 14th, 2021 at 9:17pm:
Stevens do not go to full cock and if yours does not go to half cock your fly might have not been installed right and it might need to be turned around.

There isn't a fly in a Model 44.  Mine will go TO half cock but will not stay there.  The hammer continues to ride the breech as it goes into battery.  That doesn't seem safe in any way shape form or fashion.
  
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Re: The mechanics of opening the action in a Steven's
Reply #13 - Mar 14th, 2021 at 9:41pm
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After closing your action, try pushing the hammer forward against the firing pin. 

Won't do it.  Pulling the trigger will release the hammer so it will engage the firing pin. 

It's safe.
  

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Re: The mechanics of opening the action in a Steven's
Reply #14 - Mar 14th, 2021 at 9:51pm
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westerner wrote on Mar 14th, 2021 at 9:41pm:
After closing your action, try pushing the hammer forward against the firing pin. 

Won't do it.  Pulling the trigger will release the hammer so it will engage the firing pin. 

It's safe. 


Except mine WILL go forward AND touch the firing pin without pulling the trigger. And that has me concerned.  I think the trigger needs a touch of TIG welding and some delicate filing. 
  
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